Here are the top American-born goalkeepers who have stopped shots in MLS.
Nick Rimando
Nick Rimando is one of the most accomplished American-born goalkeepers in MLS history.
He began his professional career in 2000 with the Miami Fusion before moving to DC United in 2002, where he won two MLS Cup championships in 2004 and 2006. In 2007, he was traded to Real Salt Lake, where he spent the remainder of his career before retiring in 2019.
Rimando was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009 and was an MLS All-Star six times. He helped Real Salt Lake win the MLS Cup in 2009 and was named the Most Valuable Player of the MLS Cup Final.
Rimando also had a successful international career, earning 22 caps for the US Men’s National Team.
Rimando began his youth soccer career playing for the Scott Gallagher Soccer Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The club has a reputation for developing top-level youth soccer players, with alumni that include several MLS players and members of the US Men’s National Team.
Rimando’s success at the club helped him earn a scholarship to attend UCLA, where he played college soccer for two seasons before turning professional.
Tim Howard
Tim Howard is widely considered one of the best American goalkeepers in history, having played in the English Premier League and for the US Men’s National Team. Howard began his professional career with the North Jersey Imperials of the USISL in 1997 before moving on to the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) in MLS.
After four seasons in MLS, Howard moved to England to play for Manchester United in 2003. He played with the club for four seasons before moving to Everton in 2006, where he became a club legend during his 10-year tenure.
During his time in MLS, Howard was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001, and was an MLS All-Star in 2001 and 2002. He helped the MetroStars reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2000 and 2001.
Howard made his debut for the US Men’s National Team in 2002 and went on to make over 100 appearances for his country. He played in three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014), including a memorable performance in the 2014 tournament, where he made 16 saves in a Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Howard began his youth soccer career playing for the North Brunswick Soccer Association in New Jersey before moving on to play for the Central Jersey Cosmos. He also played for the New Jersey Imperials’ youth academy before turning professional.
Howard’s success at the youth level helped him earn a scholarship to attend North Jersey Community College, where he played college soccer for one season before signing his first professional contract with the North Jersey Imperials.
Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel played in MLS for only two seasons before moving to England to play in the Premier League. He spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons with the Columbus Crew, where he was named Goalkeeper of the Year in both seasons.
Friedel was also an MLS All-Star in 1996 and helped lead the Crew to the MLS Cup Final in 1996, where they lost to D.C. United.
Friedel began his youth soccer career playing for Bay Village Soccer Club in Ohio before moving on to play for various youth clubs in the Cleveland area. He then went on to play college soccer at UCLA, where he was named the 1992 Pac-10 Player of the Year.
Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller is another American goalkeeper who had a successful career both in MLS and in Europe. He began his professional career with the Portland Timbers in 1996 and played two seasons with the club before moving to England to play for Leicester City.
Keller played for several other clubs in Europe, including Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, before returning to MLS to finish his career with the Seattle Sounders.
During his time in MLS, Keller was named Goalkeeper of the Year twice (1997, 1999) and was an MLS All-Star three times. He also helped the Portland Timbers win the A-League championship in 1996.
Keller began his youth soccer career playing for the Emerald City FC in Seattle, Washington. He then moved on to play for several other youth clubs in the Seattle area before attending the University of Portland, where he played college soccer.
Tony Meola
Tony Meola is a former US Men’s National Team goalkeeper who had a successful career in MLS. He began his professional career with the New York Jets of the American Indoor Soccer Association before moving on to play for the New York Red Bulls (then the MetroStars) in MLS.
During his time in MLS, Meola was named Goalkeeper of the Year twice (2000, 2002) and was an MLS All-Star five times. He helped the MetroStars reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2000 and 2001.
Meola began his youth soccer career playing for the Kearny Scots in Kearny, New Jersey. The Kearny Scots have a rich history of producing top-level soccer players, with alumni that include several members of the US Men’s National Team.
Meola’s success at the club helped him earn a scholarship to attend the University of Virginia, where he played college soccer.
Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton played in MLS for 16 seasons, playing for several clubs including the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, and the New York Red Bulls. He won the MLS Cup with the Chicago Fire in 1998 and was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 1998 and 2009.
Thornton began his youth soccer career playing for the Atlanta Datagraphic youth club in Georgia. He then moved on to play for the University of Maryland, where he played college soccer. After college, Thornton played for several indoor soccer teams before signing with the Chicago Fire in 1998, where he began his MLS career.
Brad Guzan
Brad Guzan began his professional career with Chivas USA in 2005 and played five seasons with the club before moving to England to play for Aston Villa. He returned to MLS in 2017 to play for Atlanta United, where he won the 2018 MLS Cup.
During his time in MLS, Guzan was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2007 and was an MLS All-Star in 2006, 2007, and 2008. He helped Chivas USA reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2006 and 2007.
Guzan began his youth soccer career playing for the Chicago Magic youth academy. He then moved on to play for Providence Catholic High School in Illinois before attending the University of South Carolina, where he played college soccer.
